11/14/2014 – Friday of 32nd week in Ordinary Time – Luke 17:26-37

       In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus recounts the disobedience that has a part of the history of the people of Israel.  He recalls not only the story of Noah and the ark, but also the dramatic story from Genesis about the Lord’s destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which took place because the people willfully sinned against God and his law, as they were unwilling to repent and to change their hearts.  Lot and his family were spared destruction because their faith was a glimmer of hope in the midst of so much darkness. In all of the chaos of fleeing to the safety that God promised to them, Lot’s wife still disobeys the Lord and his orders, suffering the consequences by being turned into a pillar of salt.  Jesus reminds us of these story to illustrate the importance of being obedient to God, of following his will in our lives, of the consequences we will endure for our sinful actions.  In the United States, rugged individualism and self-expression is held in so high esteem.  Some think that our freedom of speech gives us the right to say whatever is on our minds and to lash out at others in anger and hatred.  Sometimes we write a text or an email in that anger, not realizing the damage we can do, not realizing that our words are not proclaiming God’s kingdom or building it up here on earth.  So often we want to follow our own will or the ways of the world that call out to us so strongly.  However, Jesus tells us that those who are disobedient will pay the price.  J. May we heed this warning.